Host capture

ABSTRACT

A system and method for processing transactions. A unique transaction identifier is generated for each transaction. Processing of the transaction utilizes the unique transaction identifier.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a non-provisional of and claims priority toU.S. provisional patent application No. 60/971,134, filed on Sep. 10,2007, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for allpurposes.

BACKGROUND

News accounts have reported on data thefts at large retail stores. Manysuch stores retain credit card information as data stored on a computernetwork long after purchases have been consummated. Such information isthen relatively unsecure, as many retail stores do not take sufficientlyeffective network security precautions. According to news reports,thieves broke into retailers' computer networks and download millions ofcredit card numbers to the thieves' own system. The thieves are allegedto have accessed the computer networks by breaking encryption protectingwireless access points to the stores' networks. Once they were able tolog onto the computers on the stores' networks through the compromisedwireless access points, they could take information relating to creditcard transactions conducted by those stores within the previous fewyears. This information included credit card numbers, security codes,expiration dates, and other pertinent data.

Once stolen, credit card information may be sold on the black market,and may used to conduct fraudulent transactions along with identityfraud. Improvements to credit card transactions, to deter such datatheft, would be desirable.

Embodiments of the invention address these and other problems,individually and collectively.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the invention include associating unique transactionidentifiers with transactions, and using the unique transactionidentifiers for processing. If the unique transaction identifier isstolen, account numbers for consumers are not compromised.

One embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method forprocessing a transaction, comprising receiving an authorization requestmessage comprising an account number; associating a unique transactionidentifier with the transaction, after receiving the authorizationrequest message; identifying an issuer identifier from the accountnumber; sending the authorization request message to an issuer using theissuer identifier; receiving an authorization response message from theissuer; and sending the authorization response message and the uniquetransaction identifier.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method forprocessing a transaction, comprising receiving a preauthorizationrequest message comprising an account number; associating a uniquetransaction identifier with the transaction, after receiving thepreauthorization request message; identifying an issuer identifier fromthe account number; sending the authorization request message to anissuer using the issuer identifier; receiving an authorization responsemessage from the issuer; sending the authorization response message andthe unique transaction identifier; and receiving a transactioncompletion message comprising the unique transaction identifier and arevised transaction amount.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method forprocessing a transaction, comprising obtaining an account numberassociated with a consumer; sending an authorization request messagecomprising the account number and an amount for the transaction to apayment processing network; and receiving an authorization responsemessage comprising a unique transaction identifier for the transaction.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed towards a method forprocessing a transaction, comprising obtaining an account numberassociated with a consumer; sending a preauthorization request messagecomprising the account number to a payment processing network; receivingan authorization response message comprising a unique transactionidentifier for the transaction; and sending a payment completion messagecomprising the unique transaction number and a revised transactionamount to the payment processing network.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed towards a computerreadable medium comprising code for receiving, an authorization requestmessage comprising an account number; code for associating a uniquetransaction identifier with the transaction; code for identifying anissuer identifier from the account number; code for sending theauthorization request message to an issuer using the issuer identifier;code for receiving an authorization response message from the issuer;code for sending the authorization response message and the uniquetransaction identifier; and code for upon receiving an authorizationresponse message comprising an approval of the transaction.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed towards a computerreadable medium comprising code for receiving a preauthorization requestmessage comprising an account number and an estimated transactionamount; code for associating a unique transaction identifier with thetransaction; code for identifying an issuer identifier from the accountnumber; code for sending the authorization request message to an issuerusing the issuer identifier; code for receiving an authorizationresponse message from the issuer; code for sending the authorizationresponse message and the unique transaction identifier; and code forreceiving a transaction completion message from the merchant comprisingthe unique transaction identifier and a revised transaction amount.

Another embodiment or aspect of the invention is directed towards acomputer-implemented method of operating a payment processing network toprocess a transaction between an issuer and a remote party, the methodcomprising of receiving an authorization request message comprising anaccount number from the remote party, associating a unique transactionidentifier with the transaction, after receiving the authorizationrequest message, identifying an issuer identifier from the accountnumber, sending the authorization request message to an issuer using theissuer identifier, receiving an authorization response message from theissuer; and sending the authorization response message and the uniquetransaction identifier to the remote party.

Another embodiment or aspect of the invention is directed towards acomputer-implemented method of operating payment processing network toprocess a transaction between an issuer and a remote party, the methodcomprising of receiving a preauthorization request message comprising anaccount number, associating a unique transaction identifier with thetransaction, after receiving the preauthorization request message,identifying an issuer identifier from the account number, sending thepreauthorization request message to an issuer using the issueridentifier, receiving an authorization response message from the issuer,sending the authorization response message and the unique transactionidentifier to the remote party, and receiving from the remote party atransaction completion message comprising the unique transactionidentifier and a revised transaction amount.

By virtue in particular of the steps in embodiments of associating aunique transaction identifier with a transaction at the paymentprocessing network and sending the authorization response message andthe unique transaction identifier to the remote party, these aspects ofthe invention can allow the remote party to identify the transaction(for instance allowing its details to be accessed later if required)without requiring the remote party to store the account number. Thus,these aspects of the invention can provide considerably improvedprotection of sensitive data through technical features withoutrequiring additional network security.

Another embodiment or aspect of the invention is directed towards acomputer-implemented method of operating merchant or acquirer apparatusto process a transaction, the method comprising of obtaining an accountnumber associated with a consumer, sending an authorization requestmessage comprising the account number and an amount for the transactionto a remote payment processing network, receiving from the remotepayment processing network an authorization response message comprisinga unique transaction identifier for the transaction, and purging recordsof the account number.

Another embodiment or aspect of the invention is directed towards acomputer-implemented method of operating merchant or acquirer apparatusto process a transaction, the method comprising of obtaining an accountnumber associated with a consumer, sending a preauthorization requestmessage comprising the account number to a remote payment processingnetwork, receiving an authorization response message comprising a uniquetransaction identifier for the transaction, purging records of theaccount number, and sending a payment completion message comprising theunique transaction number and a revised transaction amount to thepayment processing network.

By virtue in particular of the steps in embodiments of sending a requestmessage comprising the account number from the merchant or acquirerapparatus to a remote payment processing network, receiving from theremote payment processing network an authorization response messagecomprising a unique transaction identifier for the transaction, andpurging records of the account number, these aspects of the inventioncan avoid the storing of account numbers at the merchant or acquirerapparatus whilst still allowing the transaction to be identified (forinstance allowing its details to be accessed later if required). Thus,these aspects of the invention can provide considerably improvedprotection of sensitive data through technical features withoutrequiring additional network security.

These and other embodiments of the invention are described in furtherdetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to an embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method according to a secondembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating of a method of purchasing fuelaccording to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5(a)-5(b) show block diagrams of portable consumer devices.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a computer apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention can be used in a transaction environmentencompassing multiple types of transactions. In a first embodiment of atransaction type, a payment transaction is conducted, but the finaltransaction amount is not known at the start of the transaction. In asecond embodiment of a transaction type, the final amount is known atthe start of the transaction.

In certain embodiments, a transaction occurs such that the final amountof the transaction is not known at first. This can be for transactionssuch as at a restaurant, where the credit card payment is authorizedbefore the final amount (which includes a tip) is known, at a gas(petrol) station, where the transaction is authorized before the totalbill (which depends on the amount of fuel pumped) is known, and so on.

In this embodiment, the merchant conducting the transaction can firsttake the payment information proffered by the consumer, such asinformation from a credit card. The credit card can be issued to theconsumer by an issuer such as a bank. The merchant can send anauthorization request message to the issuer requesting authorization toconduct the transaction. As the total amount of the transaction is notknown at this time, the issuer may authorize the transaction only if thecredit card has a certain amount of credit remaining. For example, in acar fuel purchase transaction, the merchant (i.e., the gas station) maysend an authorization request message to the issuer with no amountspecified, or an estimated amount. In some implementations, such as forfuel purchases, the issuer can require that the account associated withthe credit card have at least a predetermined amount of funds or credit(such as $100) remaining in the account before the transaction isauthorized. The issuer can check the account to determine the balanceleft, and if there is at least the required $100, it can send anauthorization response message back to the merchant.

In this embodiment, the authorization request message can also contain aunique transaction identifier. This identifier can be used to identifythe specific transaction, even after the transaction has been completed.Such an identifier removes the need to refer to the credit card number,as further detailed below. Once the merchant receives the authorizationresponse message, the transaction can continue until completion. In thecar fuel purchase, this entails having the consumer's automobile receivethe desired amount of fuel. Then, when the fuel has been dispensed, thetotal cost of the transaction should be known. At this point themerchant can send a completion message to the issuer, stating that thetransaction (by referring to the unique transaction identifier) hascompleted and including both the final transaction amount and the uniquetransaction identifier. Once completed, funds representing the finaltransaction amount can be transferred between the parties. In certainimplementations, this transfer occurs in substantially real time oncethe merchant indicates completion.

In a second exemplary embodiment, a transaction occurs such that thefinal amount of the transaction is known at first. It is similar to thefirst transaction type, except that the authorization request messageinitially sent by the merchant can contain the final transaction amount.This can be for transactions such as at a retail store or for purchasesover the Internet. In these situations, the merchant conducting thetransaction may first take the payment information offered by theconsumer, such as information from a credit card. The merchant can thensend an authorization request message to the issuer requestingauthorization to conduct the transaction. This message can include thefinal transaction amount. The issuer can check the consumer's account todetermine the balance left, and if there is at least the required amountto pay for the transaction, it can send an authorization responsemessage back to the merchant. As in the first embodiment, thisauthorization message may also include a unique transaction identifier.When the merchant receives the authorization message, the transactioncan be completed. Once completed, funds representing the finaltransaction amount can be transferred between the parties. In certainimplementations, this transfer occurs in substantially real time withthe authorization.

For both the first and second transaction types, the process of theissuer authorizing the transaction is called “authorization”. Theauthorization step alerts the merchant and the consumer that thetransaction can go ahead. Payment generally occurs after theauthorization step takes place. Payment occurs when funds transfer fromthe issuer to the merchant, or to a bank or other institution affiliatedwith the merchant. This payment step can be referred to as the “clearingand settlement” step. Often, clearing and settlement takes place hoursor even days later. However, in certain embodiments, clearing andsettlement can occur in “substantially real time”. Substantially realtime, in these embodiments, can constitute an amount of time on theorder of several minutes, up to several hours. In certain embodiments,substantially real time comprises 30 minutes. In such embodiments,clearing and settlement can take place within 30 minutes of the finalamount of the transaction being determined and transmitted to theissuer. In other embodiments, substantially real time comprises severaldays, such as 8 days, which can be for ecommerce and other transactions.

Specific embodiments of the invention can be described with reference toFIGS. 1-6.

I. Exemplary Systems

FIG. 1 shows a system 20 according to an embodiment of the invention.Other systems according to embodiments of the invention may includefewer or more components than are specifically shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 shows a consumer 30, a portable consumer device 32, an accessdevice 34, a merchant 22, an acquirer 24, a payment processing network26, and an issuer 28, in operative communication with each other. Theacquirer 24 and issuer 28 can communicate through the payment processingnetwork 26. As described above, an “issuer” is typically a businessentity (e.g., a bank) which maintains financial accounts for theconsumer and often issues a portable consumer device such as a credit ordebit card to the consumer. A “merchant” is typically an entity thatengages in transactions, such as a store, person, or service provider.In a typical payment transaction, a consumer 30 may purchase goods orservices at the merchant 22 using a portable consumer device 32. Theaccess device 34 can read the payment data from the portable consumerdevice 32, and provide that data to the merchant 22. The acquirer 24 ofthe merchant 22 can contact the issuer 42 associated with the paymentaccount through the payment processing network 40, to receive either anauthorization or a denial for the transaction.

As used herein, an “acquirer” is typically a business entity, e.g., acommercial bank that has a business relationship with a particularmerchant or other entity. Some entities can perform both issuer andacquirer functions. Embodiments of the invention encompass such singleentity issuer-acquirers.

The consumer 30 may be an individual, or an organization such as abusiness that is capable of purchasing goods or services.

The portable consumer device 32 may be in any suitable form. Forexample, suitable portable consumer devices can be hand-held and compactso that they can fit into a consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g.,pocket-sized). They may include smart cards, ordinary credit or debitcards (with a magnetic strip and without a microprocessor), keychaindevices (such as the Speedpass™ commercially available from Exxon-MobilCorp.), etc. Other examples of portable consumer devices includecellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, paymentcards, security cards, access cards, smart media, transponders, and thelike. The portable consumer devices can also be debit devices (e.g., adebit card), credit devices (e.g., a credit card), or stored valuedevices (e.g., a stored value card).

The payment processing network 26 may have a server computer 44, as wellas a database 48. The server computer 44 is typically a powerfulcomputer or cluster of computers. For example, the server computer canbe a large mainframe, a minicomputer cluster, or a group of serversfunctioning as a unit. In one example, the server computer may be adatabase server coupled to a web server. The server computer maycomprise a computer readable medium comprising code for processingtransactions as detailed below, including code for receiving messagesfrom merchants, acquirers, and issuers, code for generating uniquetransaction identifiers and associating them with specific transactions,code for sending messages, code for identifying issuers, and code forclearing and settling transactions and chargeback requests insubstantially real time.

The server computer 44 may also comprise a computer readable mediumcomprising: code for receiving, from a merchant, an authorizationrequest message comprising an account number; code for associating aunique transaction identifier with the transaction; code for identifyingan issuer identifier from the account number; code for sending theauthorization request message to an issuer using the issuer identifier;code for receiving an authorization response message from the issuer;code for sending the authorization response message and the uniquetransaction identifier to the merchant; and code for upon receiving anauthorization response message comprising an approval of thetransaction.

The server computer 44 may also comprise code for receiving, from amerchant, a preauthorization request message comprising an accountnumber and an estimated transaction amount; code for associating aunique transaction identifier with the transaction; code for identifyingan issuer identifier from the account number; code for sending thepreauthorization request message to an issuer using the issueridentifier; code for receiving an authorization response message fromthe issuer; code for sending the authorization response message and theunique transaction identifier to the merchant; and code for receiving atransaction completion message from the merchant comprising the uniquetransaction identifier and a revised transaction amount.

The payment processing network 26 may comprise or use a paymentprocessing network such as VisaNet™. The payment processing network 26and any communication network that communicates with the paymentprocessing network 26 may use any other suitable wired or wirelessnetwork, including the Internet. The payment processing network 26 maybe adapted to process ordinary debit or credit card transactions.

Although the payment processing network 26 is illustrated as beingoperationally between an acquirer 24 and an issuer 28, it need not be inother embodiments of the invention. It may include any suitablecombination of computer apparatuses which can facilitate the processingdescribed in this application.

The merchant 22 may also have, or may receive communications from, anaccess device 34 that can interact with the portable consumer device 32.The access devices according to embodiments of the invention can be inany suitable form. Examples of access devices include point of sale(POS) devices, cellular phones, PDAs, personal computers (PCs), tabletPCs, handheld specialized readers, set-top boxes, electronic cashregisters (ECRs), automated teller machines (ATMs), virtual cashregisters (VCRs), kiosks, security systems, access systems, and thelike.

If the access device 34 is a point of sale terminal, any suitable pointof sale terminal may be used including card readers. The card readersmay include any suitable contact or contactless mode of operation. Forexample, exemplary card readers can include RF (radio frequency)antennas, magnetic stripe readers, etc. to interact with the portableconsumer devices 32.

The access device 34 may comprise a processor and a computer readablemedium, wherein the computer readable medium comprises code forobtaining an account number associated with a consumer; code for sendingan authorization request message comprising the account number and anamount for the transaction to a payment processing network; and code forreceiving an authorization response message comprising a uniquetransaction identifier for the transaction.

For simplicity of illustration, one consumer 30, one portable consumerdevice 32, one merchant 22, one access device 34, one acquirer 24, andone issuer 28 are shown. However, it is understood that in embodimentsof the invention, there can be multiple consumers, portable consumerdevices, merchants, access devices, acquirers, issuers, as well asserver computers, databases, accounts, etc.

II. Exemplary Methods

A method of performing an embodiment of the invention is detailed inFIG. 2. This embodiment shows the steps that can be taken for a paymenttransaction. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the final monetary amount ofthe transaction is known at the start of the transaction. As describedabove, transactions in this embodiment can include purchasing goods andservices online or at a retail store. For example, when buying a scarfat a department store, the final monetary amount (the price of the scarfplus any applicable tax and surcharges) is known at the start of thepurchase.

In the method of FIG. 2, the consumer 30 from FIG. 1 purchases a good orservice at the merchant 22 using a portable consumer device 32 such as acredit card. For example, the consumer 30 may take a credit card and mayswipe it through an appropriate slot in the POS terminal. Alternatively,the POS terminal may be a contactless reader, and the portable consumerdevice 32 may be a contactless device such as a contactless card.

An authorization request message is then sent to the acquirer 24. Theauthorization request message can typically include the transactionamount, an account number associated with the portable consumer device32, the date of the transaction, and any other necessary data. Theauthorization request message is then forwarded to the paymentprocessing network 26 in step 201. Upon receiving the authorizationrequest message, the payment processing network 26 determines theappropriate issuer 28 of the portable consumer device 32. In oneimplementation, this is done by analyzing the account number associatedwith the portable consumer device 32 to identify the issuer identifier.In some embodiments, the issuer identifier may include a BIN or bankidentification number (in some cases a six digit number). The issueridentifier alerts the payment processing network 26 as to which issuer28 is associated with the account used in the transaction, and allowsthe payment processing network 26 to route messages to the issuer 28.Once the issuer is determined, the payment processing network forwardsthe authorization request to the issuer in step 202.

The payment processing network 26 also assigns a unique transactionidentifier to be associated with the transaction being performed. In oneaspect, the unique transaction identifier comprises 15 digits and iscompletely unique to the associated transaction. Such a uniquetransaction identifier may not be re-used for another transaction for upto 10 years. In certain implementations, the unique transactionidentifier can be created as a sequence number based upon apredetermined formula. In certain other aspects, the unique transactionnumber can be generated by a random number generation algorithm, byassigning the number from a list, or other suitable method. The uniquetransaction identifier may be associated to the transaction through alook up table, by means of sharing certain characteristics with areference identifier such as the credit card account number used or thedate of the transaction, by means of manipulating a reference identifierthrough mathematical or other formulas to create the unique transactionidentifiers, or by other suitable means. In preferred embodiments, theunique transaction identifier may include a 15 digit number that isassociated to the transaction through a look up table.

Once the issuer 28 receives the authorization request message, itevaluates it in step 203. In preferred embodiments, the issuer 28 candetermine whether the transaction is authorized or not authorized. Thiscan be based upon criteria evaluated by the issuer 28, such as amount ofcredit remaining in the account used by the consumer 30 for thetransaction. After the issuer 28 has made a determination as toauthorization of the transaction, it transmits an authorization responsemessage, which can include an approval or a denial of the transaction,to the payment processing network 26 in step 204. The payment processingnetwork 26 then, in step 205, forwards the authorization responsemessage to the merchant 22 (in certain embodiments, through theacquirer), while adding the unique transaction identifier to themessage. This provides the merchant the unique transaction identifierassociated with the transaction, and removes the need for the merchant22 to record the credit card or other account number used by theportable consumer device. Any future reference to this specifictransaction can be made by citing the associated unique transactionidentifier.

The merchant 22 receives the authorization response message, and if thetransaction is authorized, the merchant 22 can proceed with thetransaction. From the example cited above, the merchant 22 can at thispoint provide the purchased scarf to the consumer 30. Furthermore, afterthe transaction is authorized, the clearing and settlement step 206 canoccur.

In the clearing and settlement occurring in step 206, financial detailsare exchanged between the acquirer 24 and the issuer 28 through thepayment processing network 26 to facilitate posting to the consumer'saccount and reconciliation of the consumer's settlement position.Clearing is when a transaction is delivered from an acquirer to anissuer for posting to the consumer's account. Settlement is the processof calculating and determining the net financial position of eachparticipant in the transaction that has cleared. The payment processingnetwork may coordinate the clearing and settling through an SMS (singlemessage system) or a BASE II system, among other systems.

Traditionally, transactions could be authorized, cleared and settled aseither a dual message or a single message transaction. A dual messagetransaction is sent twice; the first time with only information neededfor an authorization decision, and again later with additionalinformation for clearing and settlement. In comparison, a single messagetransaction is sent once for authorization and contains clearing andsettlement information as well. These transactions can be processed bySMS. Typically, authorization, clearing and settlement all occur online. Certain issuers and acquirers may be capable of handlingtransactions that are either dual message or single message, while otherissuers and acquirers may only be equipped to handle one kind or theother.

Preferred embodiments of the current invention utilize SMS messages.Using this system, the clearing and settlement step 206 can occur insubstantially real time with the authorization in step 204. In preferredembodiments, clearing and settlement occurs within approximately 30minutes from authorization. In this way, only a single message may beneeded to be sent from the merchant 22 (as seen in step 201) to initiatethe transfer of funds. After the clearing and settlement has occurred inthis implementation, the payment processing network 26 has moved thefunds required for the transaction from the consumer's account with theissuer 28 to an account associated with the merchant 22. In preferredembodiments, the account associated with the merchant is held by theacquirer.

In embodiments where an entity such as the acquirer 24 or the issuer 28are not equipped to conduct transactions using SMS, the paymentprocessing network 26 can convert any necessary messages to communicateover the required systems. In this way, a wide array of institutions mayutilize embodiments of the invention.

A method of performing another embodiment of the invention is detailedin FIG. 3. In this embodiment, the transaction's final monetary amountis not known at the time of authorization. Such a transaction is a twostep process, comprising authorization and then completion. For example,this embodiment may include the purchase of fuel at a gas station, anytransaction in a tipping environment (such as at a restaurant or spa), atransaction at a hotel where the final rate including incidentals is notknown until checkout, car rentals, cruise trips, electronic commerce,etc.

In the method of FIG. 3, much as in FIG. 2, the consumer 30 from FIG. 1purchases a good or service from a merchant 22 using a portable consumerdevice 32 such as a credit card. However, in this transaction, the finalamount is not known at this time.

A two part message can be used. A preauthorization request message issent to the acquirer. The preauthorization request message may typicallyinclude an estimated transaction amount, an account number for theportable consumer device, the date of the transaction, and any othernecessary data. In certain embodiments, the preauthorization requestmessage can further include a time limit. This time limit ensures thatif the transaction is authorized but completion never occurs, that nofunds are taken from the consumer's account. Once the time limit hasexpired without completion occurring, the transaction is cancelled. Thisis in contrast with the one-step process of FIG. 2, where completionoccurs in substantially real time with authorization and therefore notime limit is required. The preauthorization request message is thenforwarded to the payment processing network in step 401. Upon receivingthe preauthorization request message, the payment processing network 26determines the appropriate issuer 28 of the portable consumer device 32.In one implementation, this is done by analyzing the account number forthe portable consumer device to identify the issuer identifier. Theissuer identifier alerts the payment processing network 26 as to whichissuer 28 is associated with the account used in the transaction, andallows the payment processing network 26 to route messages to the issuer28. Once the issuer 28 is determined, the payment processing network 26associates a unique transaction identifier with the transaction as inFIG. 2, and forwards the preauthorization request to the issuer 28 instep 402.

The issuer 28 can then evaluate the request in step 403. In preferredembodiments, the issuer 28 can determine whether the transaction isauthorized or not authorized. This can be based upon criteria evaluatedby the issuer 28, such as amount of credit remaining in the account usedby the consumer 30 for the transaction. In certain embodiments, anestimated transaction amount can be provided in the request. Forexample, in a hotel stay, the estimated transaction amount may includeboth the estimated room rate, and a calculated extra amount to cover formini bar usage and the like. In other embodiments, no transaction amountis provided, and the issuer 28 can determine authorization based on thetransaction type. For example, if the transaction is for a fuelpurchase, the issuer 28 may require $100 of credit remaining in theconsumer's account.

After the issuer 28 has made a determination as to authorization of thetransaction, it transmits an authorization response message, which caninclude an approval or a denial of the transaction, to the paymentprocessing network 26 in step 404. The payment processing network 26then, in step 405, forwards the authorization response message to themerchant 22 (in certain embodiments, through the acquirer 24), whileadding the unique transaction identifier to the message. This providesthe merchant with the unique transaction identifier associated with thetransaction, and removes the need for the merchant to record the creditcard or other account number used by the portable consumer device.

The merchant 22 receives the authorization response message, and if thetransaction is authorized, can proceed with the transaction. Forexample, for a car rental transaction, the consumer 30 can begin the carrental period. Once the rental period is over, the consumer may bringthe car back to the rental merchant, and the merchant can calculate therevised transaction amount. This should be the final amount for thetransaction. In the example just cited, the merchant may add on the costof any fuel used by the consumer to the rental total, or revise theprice to reflect the actual number of days the car was rented. Once therevised transaction amount is calculated, the merchant can send atransaction completion message to the payment processing network in step406 (in certain embodiments, by way of the acquirer). In preferredembodiments, this message does not contain the account number (such as acredit card number) of the portable consumer device used by theconsumer. To refer to the transaction, the merchant can include theunique transaction identifier that was provided. This, along with therevised transaction amount, can be sent to the payment processingnetwork. In this embodiment, the merchant does not need to retain oreven see the consumers account number for the second step, and further,the account number is not transmitted to the acquirer or paymentprocessing network.

In step 407, the payment processing network determines the issuer forthe transaction using the unique transaction identifier. The method ofdetermination can depend on the method used to create the identifier. Asdescribed above, if the identifier is assigned from a random numbergenerated and associated to the transaction by a look up table,reference to the look up table may suffice. In other embodiments, thetransaction can be determined from the unique transaction identifier byany shared characteristics a reference number has with the identifier,by reverse mathematical manipulation of the identifier, or othersuitable means.

Once the payment processing network 26 determines the appropriate issuer28, it routes the completion message, in step 407. Once the transactionhas completed, the clearing and settlement step 408 occurs. Clearing andsettlement occurs in a substantially similar fashion as in theembodiment of FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the clear and settle step 408is able to be processed in substantially real time with the completionin step 406. In preferred embodiments, this entails that clearing andsettlement is processed using SMS and occurs within approximately 30minutes from the completion occurring. In this embodiment, two messagesmay be needed to be sent from the merchant (as seen in steps 401 and406) to effect funds transfer. After the clearing and settlement hasoccurred in this implementation, the payment processing network hasmoved the appropriate funds required for the transaction from theconsumer's account with the issuer to an account associated with themerchant. In preferred embodiments, the account associated with themerchant is held by the acquirer associated with the merchant.

In embodiments where an entity such as the acquirer or the issuer arenot equipped to conduct transactions using SMS, the payment processingnetwork can convert any necessary messages to communicate over therequired systems. In this way, a wide array of institutions may takeadvantage of the current invention.

FIG. 4 shows a method of performing another embodiment of the invention.This embodiment shows the steps taken for a payment transaction at a gasstation. In such a payment transaction, similar to the transaction ofFIG. 3, the final monetary amount is not known until all of the fuel hasbeen dispensed. In step 1, the consumer transmits information from aportable consumer device (such as a credit card) to the merchant. Instep 2, the merchant transmits a preauthorization request to theacquirer, which forwards the request to the issuer associated with theportable consumer device. In preferred embodiments, the acquirerforwards the request to the issuer using a payment processing network.In step 3, the issuer sends an authorization message to the merchant.The merchant can also receive a unique transaction identifier for thetransaction. Once authorized, the gas pump at the merchant is activatedin step 4, and the consumer can fill her automobile with fuel. After theautomobile is filled with the requisite amount of fuel, the merchant cansend a completion message, which may include the final transactionamount and the unique transaction identifier, to the issuer in step 5.The payment processing network can then coordinate clearing andsettlement in substantially real time. This can include moving the fundsas appropriate in step 6, such that the merchant is paid for the fueldispensed.

For embodiments of the invention, a unique transaction identifier isused to refer to the transaction. This identifier can be used for laterprocesses that are associated with the transaction. In some instances, aconsumer may request a refund for a transaction or a portion of atransaction. For example, this can be when a product was mistakenlycharged to the account, such as having it charged twice during thepurchase. If the original transaction was processed according to anembodiment of the invention, the consumer can contact the issuer, whichforwards a chargeback request to the payment processing network. Thisrequest can contain the unique transaction identifier. The paymentprocessing network can store a record of all transactions, and in theserecords associate the account numbers used with the unique transactionidentifiers. In this way, the payment processing network can use theunique transaction identifier to determine which merchant was involvedwith the transaction, and can clear and settle the chargeback request.This comprises moving the funds related to the chargeback request fromthe merchant to the issuer. In doing so, the merchant does not need tosee the account number, only the unique transaction identifier.

Embodiments of the invention have a number of advantages. For example,the account number of the consumer is less exposed to theft. Each timean account number is transmitted, it is vulnerable. Removing the accountnumber from any communication stream is therefore beneficial. Inspecific embodiments, the only time the account number is transmitted isduring the first request message. All further communications can beperformed by referencing the unique transaction identifier instead ofthe account number. Furthermore, the merchant does not need to keep arecord of the account number after sending the request message. Thisallows the merchant to purge all records of the account number used inthe transaction, once the authorization response message is received.Actions taken later with respect to the transaction, such as clearingand settlement, reversals, other exception items such as chargebacks andre-presentments, etc., may only need to refer to the transactionidentifier. This prevents the security risks inherent in transactionsystems that require the merchant to store records of the account numberfor later processing.

Embodiments of the invention improve the speed of payment transactions.Typical transactions are processed in batch using a Base II system, andmay take place over several days (i.e., clearing and settlement mayoccur days after authorization). In a novel aspect of this invention,processing of a payment transaction can occur in substantially realtime, such as by using SMS. This further lessens the time transactioninformation needs to be stored, and therefore further lessens thepossibility for data theft.

III. Portable Consumer Devices and Computer Apparatuses

FIGS. 5-6 shows block diagrams of portable computer devices andsubsystems that may be present in computer apparatuses in systemsaccording to embodiments of the invention.

The portable consumer device that is used in embodiments of theinvention may be in any suitable form. For example, suitable portableconsumer devices can be hand-held and compact so that they can fit intoa consumer's wallet and/or pocket (e.g., pocket-sized). They may includesmart cards, ordinary credit or debit cards (with a magnetic strip andwithout a microprocessor), keychain devices (such as the Speedpass™commercially available from Exxon-Mobil Corp.), etc. Other examples ofportable consumer devices include cellular phones, personal digitalassistants (PDAs), pagers, payment cards, security cards, access cards,smart media, transponders, and the like. The portable consumer devicescan also be debit devices (e.g., a debit card), credit devices (e.g., acredit card), or stored value devices (e.g., a stored value card).

An exemplary portable consumer device 32′ in the form of a phone maycomprise a computer readable medium and a body as shown in FIG. 5(a).(FIG. 5(a) shows a number of components, and the portable consumerdevices according to embodiments of the invention may comprise anysuitable combination or subset of such components.) The computerreadable medium 32(b) may be present within the body 32(h), or may bedetachable from it. The body 32(h) may be in the form a plasticsubstrate, housing, or other structure. The computer readable medium32(b) may be a memory that stores data and may be in any suitable formincluding a magnetic stripe, a memory chip, encryption algorithms,private or private keys, etc. The memory also preferably storesinformation such as financial information, transit information (e.g., asin a subway or train pass), access information (e.g., as in accessbadges), etc. Financial information may include information such as bankaccount information, bank identification number (BIN), credit or debitcard number information, account balance information, expiration date,consumer information such as name, date of birth, etc.

Information in the memory may also be in the form of data tracks thatare traditionally associated with credits cards. Such tracks includeTrack 1 and Track 2. Track 1 (“International Air Transport Association”)stores more information than Track 2, and contains the cardholder's nameas well as account number and other discretionary data. This track issometimes used by the airlines when securing reservations with a creditcard. Track 2 (“American Banking Association”) is currently mostcommonly used. This is the track that is read by ATMs and credit cardcheckers. The ABA (American Banking Association) designed thespecifications of this track and all world banks must abide by it. Itcontains the cardholder's account, encrypted PIN, plus otherdiscretionary data.

The portable consumer device 32′ may further include a contactlesselement 32(g), which is typically implemented in the form of asemiconductor chip (or other data storage element) with an associatedwireless transfer (e.g., data transmission) element, such as an antenna.Contactless element 32(g) is associated with (e.g., embedded within)portable consumer device 32′ and data or control instructionstransmitted via a cellular network may be applied to contactless element32(g) by means of a contactless element interface (not shown). Thecontactless element interface functions to permit the exchange of dataand/or control instructions between the mobile device circuitry (andhence the cellular network) and an optional contactless element 32(g).

Contactless element 32(g) is capable of transferring and receiving datausing a near field communications (“NFC”) capability (or near fieldcommunications medium) typically in accordance with a standardizedprotocol or data transfer mechanism (e.g., ISO 14443/NFC). Near fieldcommunications capability is a short-range communications capability,such as RFID, Biuetooth™, infra-red, or other data transfer capabilitythat can be used to exchange data between the portable consumer device32 and an interrogation device. Thus, the portable consumer device 32 iscapable of communicating and transferring data and/or controlinstructions via both cellular network and near field communicationscapability.

The portable consumer device 32′ may also include a processor 32(c)(e.g., a microprocessor) for processing the functions of the portableconsumer device 32′ and a display 32(d) to allow a consumer to see phonenumbers and other information and messages. The portable consumer device32′ may further include input elements 32(e) to allow a consumer toinput information into the device, a speaker 32(f) to allow the consumerto hear voice communication, music, etc., and a microphone 32(i) toallow the consumer to transmit her voice through the portable consumerdevice 32′. The portable consumer device 32′ may also include an antenna32(a) for wireless data transfer (e.g., data transmission).

If the portable consumer device is in the form of a debit, credit, orsmartcard, the portable consumer device may also optionally havefeatures such as magnetic strips. Such devices can operate in either acontact or contactless mode.

An example of a portable consumer device 32″ in the form of a card isshown in FIG. 5(b). FIG. 5(b) shows a plastic substrate 32(m). Acontactless element 32(o) for interfacing with an access device 34 maybe present on or embedded within the plastic substrate 32(m). Consumerinformation 32(p) such as an account number, expiration date, andconsumer name may be printed or embossed on the card. Also, a magneticstripe 32(n) may also be on the plastic substrate 32(m).

As shown in FIG. 5(b), the portable consumer device 32″ may include botha magnetic stripe 32(n) and a contactless element 32(o). In otherembodiments, both the magnetic stripe 32(n) and the contactless element32(o) may be in the portable consumer device 32″. In other embodiments,either the magnetic stripe 32(n) or the contactless element 32(o) may bepresent in the portable consumer device 32″.

The various participants and elements in FIG. 1 may operate or use oneor more computer apparatuses to facilitate the functions describedherein. Any of the elements in FIG. 1 (e.g., the access device 34, themerchant 22, the acquirer 24, etc.) may use any suitable number ofsubsystems to facilitate the functions described herein. Examples ofsuch subsystems or components are shown in FIG. 6. The subsystems shownin FIG. 6 are interconnected via a system bus 775. Additional subsystemssuch as a printer 774, keyboard 778, fixed disk 779 (or other memorycomprising computer readable media), monitor 776, which is coupled todisplay adapter 782, and others are shown. Peripherals and input/output(I/O) devices, which couple to I/O controller 771, can be connected tothe computer system by any number of means known in the art, such asserial port 777. For example, serial port 777 or external interface 781can be used to connect the computer apparatus to a wide area networksuch as the Internet, a mouse input device, or a scanner. Theinterconnection via system bus allows the central processor 773 tocommunicate with each subsystem and to control the execution ofinstructions from system memory 772 or the fixed disk 779, as well asthe exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory 772and/or the fixed disk 779 may embody a computer readable medium.

Embodiments of the invention are not limited to the above-describedembodiments. For example, although separate functional blocks are shownfor an issuer, payment processing system, and acquirer, some entitiesperform all of these functions and may be included in embodiments ofinvention.

It should be understood that the present invention as described abovecan be implemented in the form of control logic using computer softwarein a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachingsprovided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art can know andappreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present inventionusing hardware and a combination of hardware and software

Any of the software components or functions described in thisapplication, may be implemented as software code to be executed by aprocessor using any suitable computer language such as, for example,Java, C++ or Perl using, for example, conventional or object-orientedtechniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions,or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random accessmemory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as ahard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Anysuch computer readable medium may reside on or within a singlecomputational apparatus, and may be present on or within differentcomputational apparatuses within a system or network.

The above description is illustrative and is not restrictive. Manyvariations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon review of the disclosure. The scope of the invention should,therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description,but instead should be determined with reference to the pending claimsalong with their full scope or equivalents.

One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one ormore features of any other embodiment without departing from the scopeof the invention.

A recitation of “a”, “an” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more”unless specifically indicated to the contrary. A recitation of “she” ismeant to be gender neutral, and may be read as “he” or “she”, unlessspecifically indicated to the contrary.

All patents, patent applications, publications, and descriptionsmentioned above are herein incorporated by reference in their entiretyfor all purposes. None is admitted to be prior art.

1.-10. (canceled)
 11. A method for processing a transaction, comprising:receiving a preauthorization request message comprising an accountnumber; associating a unique transaction identifier with thetransaction, after receiving the preauthorization request message;identifying an issuer identifier from the account number; sending thepreauthorization request message to an issuer using the issueridentifier; receiving an authorization response message from the issuer;sending the authorization response message and the unique transactionidentifier; and receiving a transaction completion message comprisingthe unique transaction identifier and a revised transaction amount. 12.The method of claim 11, wherein the authorization response message issent to a merchant.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:clearing the transaction in substantially real time upon receiving thetransaction completion message.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein saidsubstantially real time comprises thirty minutes.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: receiving a chargeback request relating tothe transaction from the issuer, wherein the chargeback requestcomprises the unique transaction identifier; determining the accountnumber from the unique transaction identifier; and clearing thechargeback request.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein the transactioncompletion message does not comprise the account number.
 17. The methodof claim 13, further comprising: moving the appropriate funds betweenthe issuer and an acquirer.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein thepreauthorization request message comprises a time limit.
 19. The methodof claim 11, further comprising storing a record of the transactioncomprising the account number, and associating it with the uniquetransaction identifier.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein the uniquetransaction identifier comprises 15 digits.
 21. A method for processinga transaction, comprising: obtaining, by the access device, an accountnumber associated with a consumer; sending, by the access device, anauthorization request message comprising the account number and anamount for the transaction to a payment processing network; andreceiving, by the access device, an authorization response messagecomprising a unique transaction identifier for the transaction.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, wherein any clearing and settlement processes forthe transaction are performed using the unique transaction identifier.23. A method for processing a transaction, comprising: obtaining, by anaccess device, an account number associated with a consumer; sending, bythe access device, a preauthorization request message comprising theaccount number to a payment processing network; receiving, by the accessdevice, an authorization response message comprising a uniquetransaction identifier for the transaction; and sending, by the accessdevice, a payment completion message comprising the unique transactionnumber and a revised transaction amount to the payment processingnetwork.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the payment completionmessage does not comprise the account number.
 25. The method of claim23, wherein the preauthorization request message includes a time limit.26. The method of claim 23, further comprising purging records of theaccount number upon receiving the authorization response message. 27.The method of claim 23, wherein any clearing and settlement processesfor the transaction are performed using the unique transactionidentifier. 28.-31. (canceled)
 32. A computer comprising: a processor;and a computer readable medium comprising code executable by theprocessor, for implementing a method comprising receiving apreauthorization request message comprising an account number and anestimated transaction amount, associating a unique transactionidentifier with the transaction, identifying an issuer identifier fromthe account number, sending the preauthorization request message to anissuer using the issuer identifier, receiving an authorization responsemessage from the issuer, sending the authorization response message andthe unique transaction identifier, and receiving a transactioncompletion message comprising the unique transaction identifier and arevised transaction amount.
 33. The of claim 32, wherein the methodfurther comprises: clearing the transaction in substantially real time.